Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For the period prior to April 23, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The current disability does not result in severe impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of his left ankle.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted. The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent based on painful motion, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling an RO hearing. The issues on appeal include ratings for various conditions and disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his videoconference Board hearing. The issues of service connection for right ankle strain and instability, right knee are still under consideration.

The Veteran's ratings for residual right and left ankle pain secondary to distal tibial stress fractures were restored from 0 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder have been reopened. However, the Board finds that these conditions were not incurred during his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current ankle or back disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Veteran's left ankle disability is presumed to have been aggravated by service due to arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and unclear service connection status. The Board will seek additional evidence, including obtaining missing VA examination reports and seeking clarification on the Veteran's periods of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture and finds that the Veteran's current left hip, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and/or right ankle disabilities. The remaining issues have not been decided.

The Veteran's service connection claims for mitral valve prolapse, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata were granted. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring from a right ring finger cyst removal was also granted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in reducing the Veteran's right ankle disability rating from 40% to 20%, based on the evidence at that time, including a VA examination conducted in July 1964.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of jurisdiction as the benefits sought have been granted by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim seeking an increased rating for his left ankle disability is being remanded due to the insufficient medical examination report and the need for new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot and ankle disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim for the right foot disability, and there is no current diagnosed right ankle disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his healed right ankle fracture with residuals of pain and locking, are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower fibular fracture residuals with left ankle traumatic arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease is not related to his service, as there was no chronic disability present at separation and the examiner opined that the current condition is more likely due to age and occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected bilateral foot disability and other claimed conditions.